What is Google Nest? Best Commands, Features & Tricks

Are you a fan of technology that makes your life easier but also more fun? Then you’ll want a Google Nest.

The tech giant’s hugely popular smart speakers were originally created as a competitor to the Amazon Echo and can now be found in homes around the world.

So, what is Google Nest? If you already have a Google smart speaker and aren’t sure how to use it (we don’t judge), or you’re thinking of buying one, we’ve got the lowdown on the best Google Nest commands, features and tricks to help you to get the most out of these innovative, hands-free home speakers.

Ok, Google. Let’s get started…

What is Google Nest (aka Google Home) & how does it work?

Google Home, which was recently rebranded as Google Nest, is the brand’s smart speaker, designed as a vehicle for Google Assistant, the voice-activated virtual helper. Using commands, users can interact with a range of super-useful services without moving a muscle. It listens to everything happening in the nearby environment but remains dormant unless you activate it with a command like, “Hey, Google” or “Ok, Google”. Very 007.

The speakers come in a variety of different models and sizes, from the Google Nest Mini to the Google Nest Hub Max.

The best Google Nest features

What does Google Nest do, exactly? Well, this smart speaker can act like a kind of control centre for your entire home. Here are some Google Nest tips and cool things you can do with yours.

1. Multiple user support

Our first handy Google Nest feature is that they support multiple users - perfect for busy households. Did you know that you can even teach your device to recognise multiple voices for a more personal experience?

Google Nest can recognise up to six individual users, and each person can tap into their favourite music service to hear personal playlists or get personalised answers to questions such as “is my flight delayed?”, “what does my commute to work look like?” or “what’s my favourite ice cream flavour?”.

2. Get answers from Google

With Google Nest, the power of Google is quite literally on the tip of your tongue. Get real-time, hands-free answers to ANY question or query within seconds, so you can focus on what you’re doing. Want to know when the Eiffel Tower was built? No problem. Looking for the definition of phlegmatic? Done. Trying to impress your friends with facts about Claude Monet’s paintings? Easy. Get ready to ace your next pub quiz.

3. Pass the time with games on Google Nest

Another fun thing to do with Google Assistant is try out the endless list of interactive games and trivia, like 20 Questions, tarot cards, UNO, brain training and more. See the full list of Google Nest games here. You’ll never be bored again.

4. Listen to your music

Google Nest isn’t just a hands-free assistant; the built-in speakers also pack a pretty powerful punch and work with all your favourite streaming services (Spotify, Google Music and TuneIn).

Ask Google to play your favourite playlist in seconds, or why not control the speakers around your home using Chromecast Audio devices? You can choose the soundtrack to your life with ease.

5. Control Chromecast

One of our favourite Google Nest features is the ability to sync it with Chromecast products. If you have Chromecast devices plugged into your TVs or speakers, you can connect them to Google Nest and open up a tonne of possibilities.

You’ll be able to make commands like “play ‘Line of Duty’ from Netflix on my bedroom TV”, or “play Rumours by Fleetwood Mac on Spotify from my kitchen speakers”. Stream music, watch TV, find recipes, look at Google Photos, or catch up on the news using nothing but voice commands.

Check out Google Chromecast with Google TV or the original Google Chromecast at BT Shop.

6. Manage your everyday tasks and calendar

Does searching your calendar or to-do list leave you feeling frustrated? Google Nest can help. It’ll read your planned day back to you when you ask, and you can add things to your diary in an instant.

Just ask Google Nest to “add dinner with Georgina tomorrow at 6pm to my calendar”, or “set an alarm for the gym at 7am tomorrow morning” and it’ll be planned in immediately. You can also create to-do lists, gift lists and more to make your life easier – and more organised.

7. Create a control centre for your home

Google Nest works seamlessly with some of the leading smart product manufacturers. Just use your voice to control hundreds of compatible devices. Hive, Philips Hue, LIFX, TP-Link, WEMO and many others will work with the Google Nest ecosystem, so you can ask it to do things such as “set the thermostat to 21 degrees”, or “turn the kitchen lights on”. Pretty cool.

8. Learn a new language

It’s never been easier to find out how to say a certain phrase in a different language or learn a new language entirely. Google Nest can speak a multitude of languages including Portuguese, French, German, Japanese and more.

Trying to communicate with a foreign exchange student? Let Google Nest help you out with that too.

9. Find your phone

Always misplacing your phone? Don’t worry. This nifty Google Nest feature will help you find it by making it ring. Simply make sure that you are logged into the same Google account on both your phone and Nest device. It works with Android and iPhones, so you’ll never lose your phone again.

10. Check the weather

“I wonder what the weather’s going to be like tomorrow for my son’s football match?” Now you don’t need to wonder, as Google Nest will give you all the answers you need and more.

Simply ask your device and find out the weather in specific locations in seconds. “Ok, Google, what’s the weather going to be like in Liverpool tomorrow afternoon?” Now, there’s no excuse for forgetting an umbrella.

11. Create custom shortcuts

The ability to set up custom shortcuts for your most common commands is a Google Nest feature that might just change your life (not to be dramatic); it helps you get exactly what you want even faster.

You can also set up multiple actions for a single phrase in the ‘Routines’ section on the Nest app. So, if you say, “I’m leaving”, your smart speaker might reply with a weather update, traffic on your route and a reminder to take your phone with you. How very helpful.

12. Schedule down-time

Wind down and kick back in the evening to soothing relaxation sounds. Why not turn off your bedroom lights, set an alarm and check your calendar if you need to? It’s easy to perfect your night-time routine with Google Nest.

In the morning, wake up feeling refreshed with a gentle birdsong alarm. On Google Nest Hubs, you can set the screen to gradually brighten in the morning from a certain time, to wake you up naturally – lovely.

Best Google Nest commands

There are so many Google Nest commands you’ll want to explore, but here are some of our favourite or most useful things to ask:

• What time is my dinner reservation on Sunday?
• Tell me a joke
• When is Father’s Day this year?
• What is £500 in Canadian dollars?
• Let’s play a game
• Turn on the living room lights
• Where is the nearest petrol station?
• What was the Liverpool score at the weekend?
• Play music by Pearl Jam
• Listen to LBC on TuneIn
• How long does it take to boil an egg?
• Turn on the kettle
• Where did I put my phone (again)?
• Play “I’m Alan Partridge” from Netflix on my TV
• Set the thermostat to 25 degrees
• Set a timer for 10 mins
• How long will it take to get to work?
• How do you say ‘nice to meet you’ in French?

It’s safe to say that the Google Nest range is packed with fantastic and intelligent devices that can help to make your everyday life much, much easier. Want to see what else is out there? Check out our full range of smart home speakers today.